photography | writing | southeast asia

20/03/201522/12/2016

Chiang Mai Photo Festival 2015

The inaugural edition of Chiang Mai Photo Festival (CMPF) 2015 runs from 20 to 28 February. The event is hosted and organised by the photographic art division of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University (CMU).

I am involved in this edition as the guest curator, presenting a show titled Documenting as Method: Photography in Southeast Asia at CMU Art Center.

Satellite exhibitions and events open throughout the entire month of February.

A key component of the festival is the series of public talks held at House of Photography. We have been able to do so without a luxurious budget, only because of the generosity of our speakers and the various institutions that made their presence possible. These institutions include Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Singapore), Hong Kong Design Institute and Maranatha Christian University (Bandung).

Our understanding of photography in Southeast Asia is inflicted by the reductive binary of photography versus art, which morphs into the other binary of straight photographers versus artists who use photography. Documenting as Method: Photography in Southeast Asia proposes a renewed focus on the process of documenting as a productive means to move beyond these reductive binaries, which have resulted in the amnesia of many practitioners from this region, at least since the 1950s.

Featuring works created from 1958 to the present moment, the 13 artists from Southeast Asia selected here approach documenting as method in three overlapping ways: documenting as looking and thinking; documenting as cataloguing; documenting as world-making. In parallel and diverging ways, they use photography as an embodied and embedded medium to experience realities or to create fantasies.

3 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiPrateep Suthathongthai visits from Isarn (Northeast Thailand) to present a talk for the students, a prequel to the Chiang Mai Photo Festival 2015.6 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiThe press conference for the inaugural Chiang Mai Photo Festival takes place at House of Photography. Michael Heath, US Consul General of Chiang Mai, is the special guest of the press conference.6 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiThe press conference for the inaugural Chiang Mai Photo Festival takes place at House of Photography. Michael Heath, US Consul General of Chiang Mai, is the special guest of the press conference.6 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiThe press conference for the inaugural Chiang Mai Photo Festival takes place at House of Photography. Michael Heath, US Consul General of Chiang Mai, is the special guest of the press conference.6 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiThe press conference for the inaugural Chiang Mai Photo Festival takes place at House of Photography. Michael Heath, US Consul General of Chiang Mai, is the special guest of the press conference.7 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiSide exhibition featuring the works of students from the photographic arts division of Chiang Mai University opens at Minimal Gallery. The projects are made during their short trip to Cambodia during Angkor Photo Festival.17 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiChiang Mai University Art Center will be the host of our main exhibitions, “Young ASEAN Eyes+” and “Documenting as Method: Photography in Southeast Asia”.17 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiIn conjunction with Chiang Mai Photo Festival 2015, Thai photographer Miti Ruangkritya visits Aj Por’s class for a special closed-door lecture.19 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiOur first festival guests, Deden Hendan Durahman (representing Institute Technology Bandung) and R A Dita Saraswati (representing Maranatha Christian University) from Indonesia, are here!Eating ramen at “lang-mor” night market20 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiGuests and students arrive at Chiang Mai University (CMU) Art Center for the official opening of Chiang Mai Photo Festival 2015.20 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiGuests and students arrive at Chiang Mai University (CMU) Art Center for the official opening of Chiang Mai Photo Festival 2015.20 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiThis is the official opening of the inaugural Chiang Mai Photo Festival at CMU Art Center. Guests include representatives from the Chiang Mai municipality, US Embassy and Chiang Mai University.Courtesy of Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University20 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiThis is the official opening of the inaugural Chiang Mai Photo Festival at CMU Art Center. Guests include representatives from the Chiang Mai municipality, US Embassy and Chiang Mai University.Courtesy of Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University20 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiThis is the official opening of the inaugural Chiang Mai Photo Festival at CMU Art Center. Guests include representatives from the Chiang Mai municipality, US Embassy and Chiang Mai University.Courtesy of Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University20 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiThis is the official opening of the inaugural Chiang Mai Photo Festival at CMU Art Center. Guests include representatives from the Chiang Mai municipality, US Embassy and Chiang Mai University.Courtesy of Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University20 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiPost-rock band EWANs performs at CMU Art Center after the official opening of Chiang Mai Photo Festival 2015.20 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiPost-rock band EWANs performs at CMU Art Center after the official opening of Chiang Mai Photo Festival 2015.20 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiFestival team, students and guests hang out at Cube after the opening.21 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiYoung photographer Kelvin Ah Kian from Sabah visits the photo festival.21 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiKelvin Ah Kian shows me his ongoing work on the shoreline of Labuan, East Malaysia.22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiThis is the first of an intensive series of talks hosted by Chiang Mai Photo Festival 2015.The title of the talk is “Photography and Art in Bandung”, presented by Indonesian artist Deden Hendan Durahman. It is presented in English, with Thai translation, at House of Photography. The talk lasted from 11am to 12.30pm.Artist-educator Durahman shares with the audience the development of photography and art in Bandung, with special focus on the art faculty at Institute Technology of Bandung (ITB) and the work of Bungkus, a local collective promoting photography as a means of expression.22 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai22 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiAj Por presents gifts from the festival to R. A. Dita from Maranatha Christian University, Bandung.22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiManit Sriwanichpoom (in grey) is “reunited” with his teacher Pramuan Burusphat (in white), one of the most important artists working with photography in Southeast Asia since the late 1970s. Burusphat’s work is somewhat “forgotten” within the contemporary but in many ways, particularly his obsession with self portraiture, his artistic practice prefigures the contemporary turn.22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiArtist talk by Pramuan Burusphat (Thailand / NZ)22 Feb 2015, 2 to 3pmHouse of PhotographyPramuan is an artist specialising in photography and lens-based art since 1977. In this talk, he charts the evolution of his work over the decades. This presentation is in Thai.22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiAdding to the presentation, Manit Sriwanichpoom provides the background to the state of photography in Thailand during the period when Burusphat was starting out.22 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiAfter the talk, Burusphat shows some of his original prints to the audience. As an artist, he has always been fascinated by different printing techniques.22 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiExhibition opening, artist talk and book-signing by Benz Thanachart at Think Park22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiExhibition opening, artist talk and book-signing by Benz Thanachart at Think Park22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiExhibition opening, artist talk and book-signing by Benz Thanachart at Think ParkMichael Heath, US Consul General in Chiang Mai, chats with festival guests during the event.22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiA quick and simple dinner at Think Park with festival guests22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiOpening of “Round Up!”, a satellite exhibition featuring the works of students from Rangsit University (RSU), Bangkok and Chiang Mai University at Rumpueng Art SpaceRSU student Sunchai Tosomboon is seen at the opening with his work, “Remind”.22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiOpening of “Round Up!”, a satellite exhibition featuring the works of students from Rangsit University, Bangkok and Chiang Mai University at Rumpueng Art Space22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiOpening of “Round Up!”, a satellite exhibition featuring the works of students from Rangsit University, Bangkok and Chiang Mai University at Rumpueng Art Space22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiOpening of “Round Up!”, a satellite exhibition featuring the works of students from Rangsit University, Bangkok and Chiang Mai University at Rumpueng Art SpaceCourtesy RSU22 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiOpening of “Round Up!”, a satellite exhibition featuring the works of students from Rangsit University, Bangkok and Chiang Mai University at Rumpueng Art SpaceCourtesy RSU23 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai“Documenting as a Potential Approach in Art Making”, an artist talk by Manit SriwanichpoomTime: 1 to 2.30pmVenue: House of PhotographyThis presentation, made in Thai, is very well received by the audience. In the talk, Sriwanichpoom shares many of his projects, which stem from the documenting approach.23 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai23 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai23 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiArtist Talk by Deden Hendan Durahman, Indonesia (in English, with Thai Translation) Time: 2.30 to 3.30pmVenue: House of PhotographyIn this presentation, Bandung-based Deden Hendan Durahman shares with the audience his artistic practice, which uses photography in different ways to create bodyscapes.23 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai23 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiQuick coffee with festival guests at Ponganes Espresso, Chiang Mai23 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiQuick coffee with festival guests at Ponganes Espresso, Chiang Mai23 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiGoing Italian with festival guests23 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiGoing Italian with festival guests23 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai24 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiArtist talk by Pramuan Burusphat (Thailand / NZ)24 Feb 2015, 7 to 8pmHouse of PhotographyPramuan is an artist specialising in photography and lens-based art since 1977. In this talk, he charts the evolution of his work over the decades. This presentation is in Thai and English.24 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai“These Cool Old Men: Seeking Forgotten Thai Photographers” by Manit Sriwanichpoom (in Thai and English)Time: 8 to 9.30pmVenue: House of PhotographySince 2011, artist-curator Manit Sriwanichpoom has been exhibiting works by senior Thai photographers who have been neglected in mainstream art history. In this presentation, he introduces the works of these pioneer practitioners of photography in Thailand.24 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai25 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiOpening of “Local Thai Fashion”, an exhibition by Thai photographer Dow Wasiksiri at Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre25 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai25 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai26 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiArtist talk by Erica Lai (Singapore)Venue: House of PhotographyTime: 7 to 8.30pmIn 2005, artist-educator Erica Lai was awarded first prize for photography in the UOB Painting of the Year. In 2013, her latest work “Old Man and the Sea” is featured in Singapore Biennale. In this talk, Lai shares with the audience some of her works, which stem from the process of documenting as method. This talk is in English, with Thai translation.26 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai27 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiCoffee with festival guests at Ban Kang Wat27 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiWut Chalanant introduces his show, “Parallel” at Pongnoi Art Space to the festival guests.27 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiHong Kong Photography: Seen through the Exhibitions of LumenvisumBy Tse Ming-chong, Hong Kong (in English, with Thai translation)Venue: House of PhotographyTime: 7 to 8.30pmTse is a member of Hong Kong International Photo Festival, principal lecturer at Hong Kong Design Institute and one of the founders of Lumenvisum (a non-profit HK gallery dedicated to photo-based art). In this presentation, he talks about the development of photographic art in HK through the exhibitions that Lumenvisum has hosted over the years.27 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai28 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiSide exhibition at Sleepbox Hotel28 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiArtist Talk by Tse Ming-chong, Hong Kong (in English with Thai translation)Venue: House of PhotographyTime: 6.30 to 8pmIn the closing presentation, Tse Ming-chong shares with the audience the evolution of his photographic practice, which spans from 1989 to the present moment.28 Feb 2015 / Chiang Mai28 Feb 2015 / Chiang MaiFestival team and visiting guests hang out at Cube on the closing night of Chiang Mai Photo Festival 2015.